(no subject)

The words "black" and "white" imply dichotomy and absolute divide.

So, how would discussions about race be changed if we talked about people as being "tan" vs. "brown"?

Not precise enough? Oh darn. It would be too bad for the dividers if discussion emphasized the similarities between people more than socially-constructed differences.

the need for protecting transgendered students and faculty

si_ren65 is one of the activists in Coalition for an Anti-Sexist Harvard. One of the points in their list of demands is the inclusion of "gender identity and expression" as one of the protected categories in Harvard's anti-discrimination policy. Sexual orientation is already protected by Harvard.

The fact that Harvard has held out on this is purely symbolic, because the cities of Cambridge and Boston have codes making discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression illegal. On the whole, universities in the US are far behind the cities and states which have chosen to extend this protection. The local exception is MIT.

si_ren65 asked me for some material regarding the experience of transsexuals at universities in the United States. Here is what I was able to round up for her.

http://www.ntac.org/studies/ge01.html
This is an interesting study which asserts that anti-discrimination codes which protect "sexual orientation" without protecting "gender identity and expression" don't succeed in covering all people who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual. The best way to ensure protection for gays, lesbians, and bis, is to include transgendered people; otherwise, the anti-discrimination gap is close to 40%.

This was directed at HRC, which for a long time had advocated a federal employment non-discrimination act which covered gays, lesbians, and bis, but not transgendered people. Recently (to the chagrin of some) they reversed that position, and now support a version of ENDA which includes transgendered people.

http://www.haworthpressinc.com/store/SampleText/J367.pdf
This issue of the Journal of Gay and Lesbian Issues in Education has an article about transgendered students at unversities, and what the schools should do to help them. Full inclusiveness has to include transgender-friendly dormitories, restrooms, and other such facilities.

http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/transgender_issues_education.html
http://www.ntac.org/news/01/04/23ucla.html
http://www.campuspride.net/trans.asp
These links have information on the transgender experience in the university setting, including some shocking statistics:

Colleges are not immune to acts of anti-transgender violence. A 2003 study of the campus climate at 14 institutions found that 41 percent of the transgender respondents had experienced harassment in the previous year, as compared to 28 percent of non-transgendered lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. The majority of all respondents indicated that transpeople were the most harassed group on their campus. (from the first link)

In a report published by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Sue Rankin surveyed several universities with queer resource centers and other forms of LGBT support systems. Even though these systems existed, Rankin cited that 41% of transgender respondents reported experiencing harassment at their universities. Additionally, 34% of faculty, staff, and student respondents stated that they had, at some point in the past year, concealed their sexual orientation or gender identity to avoid harassment or discrimination by teachers or supervisors. (Campus Climate. Rankin, Susan. The Policy Institute of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. 2003.) (from the third link)